Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Evaluation of Extracellular Vesicle Function During Malaria Infection
Published on: February 14, 2018
Malaria-infected erythrocyte-derived microvesicles mediate cellular communication within the parasite population and
Pierre-Yves Mantel1, Anh N Hoang2, Ilana Goldowitz1
1Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Abstract:
Humans and mice infected with different Plasmodium strains are known to produce microvesicles derived from the infected red blood cells (RBCs), denoted RMVs. Studies in mice have shown that RMVs are elevated during infection and have proinflammatory activity. Here we present a detailed characterization of RMV composition and function in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Proteomics profiling revealed the enrichment of multiple host and parasite proteins, in particular of parasite antigens associated with host cell membranes and proteins involved in parasite invasion into RBCs. RMVs are quantitatively released during the asexual parasite cycle prior to parasite egress. RMVs demonstrate potent immunomodulatory properties on human primary macrophages and neutrophils. Additionally, RMVs are internalized by infected red blood cells and stimulate production of transmission stage parasites in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, RMVs mediate cellular communication within the parasite population and with the host innate immune system.
Related Concept Videos
Symbiosis
Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Diversity of Protists II

